STUNNING images of more than 90 vessels working as part of the Op Olympics security mission in Weymouth and Portland have been captured on camera.

Royal Naval photographer Joel Rouse, 26, captured aerial footage of the maritime security fleet, which were supporting the sailing events of the Olympic and Paralympic Games from the Royal Navy’s flagship HMS Bulwark.

The Plymouth-based amphibious command and control ship worked with Dorset Police to secure 50 square miles of coastline around Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour for the big event.

Op Olympics not only included HMS Bulwark, as the centre of Maritime security for the Olympic Games in Weymouth and Portland, but also vessels run by the UK Border Agency, the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Dorset Police rigid inflatable boats and jetski, Royal Marine (RM) Offshore Raiding Crafts, RM Landing Craft Utility, Sea Cadet training ships, Liberty Lass, Royal Navy rigid inflatable boats, P2000 patrol vessels and an 814 Squadron Merlin helicopter.

During the 2012 Games, Joel captured outstanding operational photos of the maritime forces on duty providing security, including a set of stunning aerial photos of the entire Dorset multi-agency force at sea taken from a Royal Navy helicopter.

Joel was also invited on to the official press boat to capture the Olympic sailors out on the water and during medal presentations.

He had the chance to be on the other side of the camera when he was pictured with Olympic silver medal winner, the sailor Luke Patience .

Joel joined the Royal Navy nearly 10 years ago, after completing his basic training at HMS Raleigh and HMS Sultan, he joined the submarine service as a marine engineering mechanic and served on the Plymouth-based nuclear-powered submarine, HMS Trenchant.

Joel said that he joined the Royal Navy to `learn a trade, see the world and pursue an interesting career’.

A keen photographer, he subsequently transferred to the Royal Navy’s photographic branch specialisation, graduating from the Defence School of Photography in April 2011.

Dad-of-three Joel, who is originally from Yorkshire, said he loves being a photographer, because he meets the many diverse and interesting people serving in the Royal Navy.